How Writers and Bloggers Find Products to Review
Five Ways to Acquire Free DVDs, Software, Books, and More
Aug 23, 2009
Writing product reviews can be an effective way to earn money as a freelance writer or blogger – but how does a beginner find products to review? These five ways to acquire DVDs, software, books, and more will put most freelancers on the road to happy reviewing!
Five Ways to Find Free Products to Review
Write Product Reviews With Integrity
Bloggers and writers who want to build a sustainable, respectable blog or website must be sincere and honest in their product reviews. This means listing both the strengths and drawbacks of products, not writing “advertorials”, and ensuring reviews are well-written, interesting, and informative. This is the most important part of finding free products to review in the long-term: the blogger or freelancer’s own integrity.
Contact a Public Relations Company
Most public relations representatives love to send writers and bloggers samples or products – it’s free, effective advertising! A short, simple email to a public relations firm could result in a steady stream of DVDs, software, or other products. When asking for products to review, writers or bloggers should provide a link to their blog or website and show their experience with this type of writing.
Email the Manufacturer, Book Publisher, or DVD Distributor
Exactly who to contact depends on the product – and the product itself almost always includes contact information. Websites also have information on how to acquire the goods; writers or bloggers interested in reviewing books or DVDs can contact the publisher or distributor directly.
Find Affiliate Programs That Facilitate Product Reviews
Some affiliate programs, such as BlogHer, connect bloggers with advertisers who offer free products to review. Reviewing products through affiliate programs often includes guidelines that protect both the advertiser and the blogger. This can be a good way to earn money, increase traffic, and find new ideas to blog about!
Research Blog Review Networks
Some bloggers and freelance writers join blog review networks, which facilitate finding or acquiring free products to review. After you sign up with the network, they’ll start sending you invitations to review certain products (anything from DVDs or software to beauty products). Bloggers and writers can decline to review certain products, and may find that they have more free products to review than they can handle!
Writing product reviews builds on itself. Once public relations firms, advertisers, and vendors recognize that a particular freelance writer or blogger writes solid product reviews, they’ll start sending DVDs, software, books, etc regularly.
Resources for Blogging and Web Writing
Online writing and blogging can lead to print magazine assignments from editors! Here’s what to do when an editor assigns a magazine article.
Bloggers and web writers might be interested in Articles About Earning Money as a Blogger or Web Writer. And, freelancers who want to earn a full-time living might find Articles About Earning Money as a Freelance Writer helpful.
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